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by RUSSELL
BLINCH
Beware the naughty temple tigers
KANCHANABURI, Thailand: The monk in
his flowing orange robe looked the picture of serenity as he
walked along the path holding the giant tiger by a leash.
The gaggle of tourists that thronged behind him was understandably
giddy at the chance of being up close and personal with one of the
world’s most magnificent, and dangerous, beasts.
The adult tiger was the last of about dozen that had been led down
to a small rock canyon where they would bask in the sun and take
part in very different kind of photo opportunity.
The Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yannasampanno, or Tiger Temple, is a
petting zoo with a difference.
Tourists are flocking to the temple northwest of Bangkok to pet,
and even cuddle, the great striped beasts.
They can also have their pictures taken with each tiger to prove
their bravery.
“The monastery is not only for man but for all animals who seek
the peacefulness,” reads the Buddhist temple’s brochure.
The monastery was set up in 1994 by abbot Pra Acharn Phoosit
(Chan) Khantitharo with the aim of promoting Buddhism and
conserving forests and wildlife.
The monastery took in its first tiger in 1997 when border police
brought a young orphaned cub, Athiphat Srimanee, the temple’s
project manager, said.
A few months later, he said a family from a hill tribe brought
another
cub, asking for a small amount of rice in return.
The tigers mated and now the temple has some 18 big cats, with
names such as Storm, Lightning and Rainbow.
Accessible from Bangkok by car, the temple averages about 300
visitors a day, up from 200 a day last year. Visitors must pay
US$8 (K24) to enter the grounds.
“More tourists came here after the news spread and so that is why
we need to be well prepared to prevent any accident which could
happen,” Athiphat said.
At about midday, the tigers are led down to a rock canyon on
leashes before being chained to anchors in the ground.
Initially kept at a distance behind a flimsy barrier, the eager,
apprehensive tourists are soon led in one by one by the handlers.
A visitor is allowed to stand behind each animal, pet it, and pose
for a shot. For an extra fee a visitor can also sit with the
tiger’s head on their lap.
Tigers are the largest and heaviest cats in the wild and are known
as great hunters with little trouble stalking, seizing and eating
large animals such as deers and water buffalo.
And tourists?
Athiphat said the temple had not seen any serious accidents since
visitors started coming some five years ago.
“A few tourists were slightly injured, scratches from the naughty
little tigers, but no serious accidents have been reported,” he
said, adding that close surveillance by numerous volunteer
handlers keep problems to a minimum.
In a pocket-sized book, the monastery does provide personality
sketches on the the tigers, which do include some ‘user beware’
advice.
Lightening is cast as handsome and photogenic. But: “He is a
moody, nervy and unpredictable tiger. He pretends to be tame and
gentle, but can bite if keepers let their guard down,” according
to the book.
Visitors understandably approach the tigers with some trepidation
but in the end, the cats prove irresistible for most.
Dharmini Dharmalingam, a tourist from Singapore, said she had some
reservations about the temple after seeing the row of cages where
the tigers are kept, as she does not like zoos.
The temple has plans to build a larger, more natural setting for
the animals, but even with the present set up, Dharmalingam was
won over by the tigers.
“It was absolutely amazing holding the huge, enormous head in my
lap. So peaceful too. It was like holding a big, soft cuddly toy –
they are actually as soft,” she said. – Reuters
 
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